Evidence-Based Reentry Practices in a Jail Setting

Gary ChristensenCorrections Administrator

Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office

Realities • Mid-Year 2004 - 2.2 million incarcerated (Beck & Harrison,

2005 - U.S. Dept. of Justice)

• Highest rate per capita in History – 726 persons per 100,000 citizens – World leader – Russia 2nd @ 564/100,000

• Sanctions Overall (Probation, Parole, Jail, Prison) • 1.8 + million (1980)• 7 + million (current) • 388% increase vs. approx. 25% US population increase • WHY?

• Today, nationwide, as well as locally, 80% of incarceration relates to substance or alcohol abuse (Belanko, et al.; US Dept. of Justice; National Institute of Corrections)

crime directly related to abuse (DWI to Criminal Sale), getting money for, under the influence of, severe drug/alcohol history, selling, etc.

U.S. Sanctioning Realities - RaceChart #1

Sanctions - Race

32%

40%

44%

56%

45%

41%39%

30%

20%18%

15%

12%

3%1% 2% 2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Prison-State/Fed Parole Jail Probation

Sanction Type

% o

f R

ace

White

Black

Hispanic

Other

U.S. Sanctioning Realities – Race(Beck & Harrison, 2005 - U.S. Dept. of Justice)

Prisoner Recidivism Langan & Levin (2002)

• Sample size – n=272,111– within 3 years of release

• 67.5% were rearrested • 46.9% were reconvicted

• 51.8% returned to prison – Offenses and Violations

Realities

• Average # of felonies committed by ONE active drug user = 140 per year (Belanko, et al.; US Dept. of Justice)

• Over 90% of our local jail populations will transition directly to our streets

• 80% of those who recidivate will do so within 6 months post-release

Is there need to change our practice?

Do we practice in the best interests of the public?

Can work within a jail facility contribute to “beyond the walls”

long-term public safety?

How do or can jails work with or as part of our system of corrections?

What do jails do to enhance long-term public safety?

How is EBP different in jails?

…inter-jurisdiction

….in community corrections?

….in prisons?

How is it the same?

What part do our actions/attitudes have in the

current state of our system of corrections?

What initiatives/perspectives relative to offender sanctions are

important within your jurisdiction?

Rehabilitation, punishment, restoration, incapacitation, etc.

Perspective within a system designed to

enhance long-term public safety

Treatment, strategy, or training?Rehabilitation VS. Habilitation?

Is there such a thing as a perfect treatment strategy?

Is failure a reality?

Is there a treatment or strategy that can/will lessen the risk that

transitioning offenders will recidivate?

*Punishment and EBP*

Risk Management/Reduction Strategies: must it be either or?

Incapacitation/ Incarceration Direct Contacts Supervision of Conditions Electronic Monitoring Drug Testing/ Screening Restraints Setting Limits

Treatment & Programming Cooperation & Collaboration Challenging Choice Ownership & Responsibility Teaching & Supporting Self (Risk Management) Communicating/ Upholding Limits

Clearly

RISK CONTROL RISK REDUCTION

SHORT-TERM CONTROL

LONG-TERM CHANGE

Sanction Intervention

What can a jail staff do to contribute to

long-term public safety?

Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate…

Serve as a resource – educate others

Encourage system professionals to meet clients prior to their release – enhance responsivity

Assess with actuarial assessment

Measure outcomes – daily, weekly, long-term

Require a social learning environment - model

Plan for Transition – follow people and outcomes

Offer continuing service

The Dutchess County Jail Transition Program is designed to:

Enhance public safety through the management of criminogenic risk factors, while considering the necessity for other types of interventions such as substance and/or alcohol treatment.

Facilitate the successful transition of offenders to our community.

Reduce recidivism.

?Outcomes? • 3-year period November, 1998-November of 2001

(Christensen, 2002)

• over a 33% in reduction of recidivism

Comparison of Recdivism - Program (21.1%) VS. Control (54.2%)

107

4595

401

3882

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Program(21.1%)

Control(54.2%)

Program N=508; Control N=8477

Non-RecidivistIncarcerations

RecidivistIncarcerations

?Outcomes? • 1998-current – Recidivism Rates remain at

approximately 25%

• Current study of all inmates who entered the transition program

– Combined recidivism rates of program inmates prior to their entry to the program = 65+%

– Aggregate Risk Score (LSI-R) = 28

– Rate of Recidivism post program release = 20%

Outcomes-Daily measurement 2345

6789

1011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q RMy How

Week Transition Will I Work

Age Start Wk LSI Appli- Needs Change Group Individual Assign- Formal Letter to Group Release Trans. Extra

INMATE NAME ID# ID Date # cation Form Form Leader Counselor ment Contract Myself Present. Date Plan Group

Presentation Due Need TP Need LSI

CANNON, Isaiah 18801 A 6/26/06 1 x x 10/20/06

FULLER, Jedediah 19054 A 6/26/06 1 x x

STOKES, David JR. 24763 A 6/26/06 1 x x

HUNTER, Kelvin 24741 A 6/26/06 2 x x Moe Moe x B

ABBOTT, Anthony 19627 A 6/12/06 4 x x x x Moe Moe laundry x x 8/17/06 B

ABED EL HADI, Mahmoud 25687 M 6/19/06 4 x x x x Onaje Onaje School x x x 8/18/06 x B

ALLAH, Mondu 14676 A 5/22/06 4 x x x x Moe KM garbage x x x 9/12/06 x BD

ANTENUUCI, Joseph 1735 A 6/19/06 4 x x x x Moe Moe laundry x x x 9/19/06 x B

AURORA, Nazareth 15817 A 6/19/06 4 x x x x Onaje Pam laundry x x x 8/24/06 x B

CANNING, Robert 1326 A 5/22/06 4 x x x x Onaje Olmo x x 11/26/06 x B

CATTS, Clifton 10346 A 4/17/06 4 x x x x Onaje Olmo x x x PV x B

DALTON, Christopher 25791 A 7/3/06 4 X x x x Onaje Onaje x x B

DELGADO, George 24580 M 6/12/06 4 x x x x Onaje Onaje school x x x x B

DRAYTON, Shamik 17229 A 6/5/06 4 x x x x Onaje Anna school x x x B

EARLY, John 1051 A 4/3/06 4 x x x x Onaje Sylvia Outside x x 8/1/06 x B

FASCE, Corey 20521 A 6/19/06 4 x x x x Onaje Onaje x x x x B

FLORYAN, Ryan 25810 M 7/3/06 4 X x x x Onaje Onaje School x x B

GINESE, Anthony 17229 A 5/22/06 4 x x x x Onaje Anna x x x B

GORTON, Tyrell 24399 A 6/26/06 4 x x x x Onaje Anna x x 7/27/06 x B

HARRISON, Ronald 22216 A 6/26/06 4 x x x x Onaje Onaje school x x BD

HINES, Raheem 15198 A 6/26/06 4 x x x x Onaje Sylvia school x x B

JOHNSON, Darrell 8740 A 4/24/06 4 x x x x Onaje Runion x x x 8/11/06 x B

KIERNAN, William 25698 A 6/19/06 4 x x x x Moe Anna School x x x x B